Technology and Disability - Volume Pre-press, issue Pre-press
Purchase individual online access for 1 year to this journal.
Price: EUR 105.00
Technology and Disability communicates knowledge about the field of assistive technology devices and services, within the context of the lives of end users - persons with disabilities and their family members. While the topics are technical in nature, the articles are written for broad comprehension despite the reader's education or training.
Technology and Disability's contents cover research and development efforts, education and training programs, service and policy activities and consumer experiences.
The term Technology refers to assistive devices and services.
- The term Disability refers to both permanent and temporary functional limitations experienced by people of any age within any circumstance.
- The term and underscores the editorial commitment to seek for articles which see technology linked to disability as a means to support or compensate the person in daily functioning.
The Editor also attempts to link the themes of technology and disability through the selection of appropriate basic and applied research papers, review articles, case studies, programme descriptions, letters to the Editor and commentaries. Suggestions for thematic issues and proposed manuscripts are welcomed.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Most of the patients who survive stroke, spinal cord or others nervous system injuries, must face different challenges for a complete recovery of physical functional impairment. An accurate and recurrent assessment of the patient rehabilitation progress is very important. So far, wearable sensors (e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes) and depth cameras have been used in medical rehabilitation for the automation of traditional motor assessments. Combined with machine learning techniques, these sensors are leading to novel metric systems for upper limb mobility assessment. OBJECTIVE: Review current research for objective and quantitative assessments of the upper limb movement, analyzing…sensors used, health issues examined, and data processes applied such as: selected features, feature engineering approach, learning models and data processing techniques. METHOD: A systematic review conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. EBSCOHOST discovery service was queried for relevant articles published from January 2014 to December 2018 with English language and scholarly peer reviewed journals limits. RESULTS: Of the 568 articles identified, 75 were assessed for eligibility and 43 were finally included and weighed for an in-depth analysis according to their ponderation. The reviewed studies show a wide use of sensors to capture raw data for subsequent motion analysis. CONCLUSION: As the volume of the data captured via these sensors increase, it makes sense to extract useful information about them such as prediction of performance scores, detection of movement impairments and measured progression of recovery.
Show more
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The impact of paediatric upper limb difference may extend beyond the child themselves to their parents and other family members. Previous research has found that feelings of shock, numbness and loss are common amongst parents and that peer support can be a buffer against stress. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to explore the experiences of parents of children with limb difference, and the role of services and prosthetic devices in these experiences. METHODS: Nine parents of children with limb difference participated in either a group (n =…2) or individual (n = 7) interview. RESULTS: Analysis of the interview transcripts revealed four themes – ‘grief and guilt’, ‘prosthesis as a tool for parental adjustment’, ‘support’ and ‘fun and humour’. CONCLUSIONS: Parents may employ coping strategies to help them adjust to their child’s limb difference, including use of a prosthesis, accessing support from statutory services and peers, and use of fun and humour within the family.
Show more
Keywords: Upper limb prosthetics, paediatric prosthetics, parental experiences, qualitative research
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Over-ground robotic lower limb exoskeletons are safe and feasible in rehabilitation with individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and stroke. Information about effects on stroke rehabilitees is scarce and descriptions of learning process and user experience is lacking. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to describe how rehabilitees learn exoskeleton use, to study effects of exoskeleton assisted walking (EAW) training, and to study rehabilitees’ user experiences. METHODS: One-group pre-test post-test pre-experimental study involved five rehabilitees with stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Participants in chronic phase underwent twice a week an…8-week training intervention with Indego exoskeleton. Process of learning to walk and the level of assistance were documented. Outcome measurements were conducted with 6-minute and 10-meter walk tests (6 MWT, 10 mWT). User experience was assessed with a satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS: Rehabilitees learnt to walk using the exoskeleton with the assistance from 2–3 therapists within two sessions and progressed individually. Three participants improved their results in 10 mWT, four in 6 MWT. The rehabilitees felt comfortable and safe when using and exercising with the device. CONCLUSION: Indego exoskeleton may be beneficial to gait rehabilitation with chronic stroke or TBI rehabilitees. The rehabilitees were satisfied with the exoskeleton as a rehabilitation device.
Show more